Living Through The Ages – Herschel Walker

Former NFL running back, three time All- American honoree, and 1982 Heisman trophy winner (NCAA), Herschel Walker is a victorious athlete who isn’t stopping anytime soon. In fact, at the spontaneous age of 53, he believes that he is more than capable of competing in today’s league.

Growing up with a speech impediment and overweight, Herschel didn’t use these problems as crutches. To cope, this Georgia native, worked hard to become a talented athlete.

Herschel Walker began his football career at the University of Georgia. With much skill and many accolades, he continued to pursue football, but this time as a professional career. Walker began his professional football career in 1983, playing for the New Jersey Generals, in the United States Football League (USFL). From there he went on to play for teams in the National Football League (NFL), such as the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and the New York Giants. Walker spent nine years in the NFL, before retiring in 1997, with the Dallas Cowboys.

Though it’s been almost 20 years since this former running back has been in the league, he stated in a recent interview, with John Breech of CBS Sports, that he could contribute to an NFL team today, if needed. His contribution would be from playing a few plays per game and even returning kickoffs because he is still runs “very well”.

“A man that is victorious is a man that gets back up when he is knocked down.” -Herschel Walker

Outside of his sports life, Walker has dealt with mental health problems. He was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID). Initially, he found no relief in knowing he had DID. In attempt to shed light on this disorder and be of aid to others suffering, Walker has been very candid in sharing his story. He says that doing so has helped save the lives of many.

Although he used sports to cope with issues he had as a kid, part of his downfall derived from him not dealing with those issues head-on. After football, all of those issues he’d once ignored had resurfaced confusion. At one point Herschel, checked himself into the hospital, and he said that it was in that moment when he began to realize ‘people have issues’. He realigned himself with his faith and positioned himself into positive thinking.

During his time of recovery, Herschel was introduced to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). He credits MMA for not only aiding in his recovery but for keeping him in good shape, over the years. In his interview with CBS Sports, he told the reporter that fighting [in MMA] enabled him to run 40 yards in 4.3 seconds without “doing any track work”.

As for future plans and goals, Herschel Walker hopes to be the George Foreman of football. But until then, MMA is where his heart is.